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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s national palace postponed hearings with the king for allies of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, senior opposition leaders said on Wednesday (October 14), amid a new fight for the position of first Minister of the country.
Anwar met with King Al-Sultan Abdullah on Tuesday to demonstrate that he has a “compelling” parliamentary majority to form a new government, sparking a new outbreak of political disputes just months after Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin took office. .
READ: Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim leaves Istana Negara after audience with the king
READ: Anwar did not present a list of deputies who back him: Istana Negara
In a statement, top leaders of the opposition Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Amanah said they had initially been summoned for separate hearings with the king.
“However, last night Her Majesty’s high-ranking private secretary informed us that both sessions with His Majesty have been postponed,” the statement read, signed by DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng and Amanah President , Mohamad Sabu.
They did not say if any new dates had been set.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Anwar said he had submitted documents to the king to show he had the support of more than 120 lawmakers in the 222-seat parliament.
But the palace later said in a statement that Anwar had presented the number of lawmakers he said supported him, but not the identities of his supporters.
READ: Malaysian king will study documents and consult party leaders, says Anwar amid attempt to form new government
READ: Leave it to the king’s best judgment, says Prime Minister Muhyiddin about Anwar’s attempt to seize power
The king plays a largely ceremonial role, but can appoint a prime minister who, in his opinion, probably has the majority. New governments are generally elected in Malaysia, but the king plays a role in certain cases.
Earlier this year, at the height of political disputes that led to the collapse of Mahathir Mohamad’s administration, the king appointed Muhyiddin as prime minister after meeting with all members of parliament to find out who he supports.
Critics say Muhyiddin, who has survived with a two-seat parliamentary majority, had stolen power by trading alliances rather than winning it at the polls.
